No monument for 9-11 anniversary

A majority of nearly 20 people who spoke at Tuesday’s Saratoga Springs City Council meeting voiced support for placing a 9-11 sculpture on the lawn of the Visitor Center. But other speakers criticized the monument’s proposed location, the procedure that brought it there and Monday’s letter by Joel Reed, the leader of the Arts Council, who publicly apologized for politicizing the debate.

In a letter on Monday, Reed accused members of both political parties of “throwing Saratoga Arts and the chance for community unity on 9/11 under the bus in the hope of picking up a few votes.”

He appeared Tuesday before the City Council and said that his comments about the steel memorial, named Tempered By Memory, were intemperate. “It’s been a long haul,” he said. “My apologies, I’m sorry.”

Mayor Scott Johnson said later in the evening that more time was needed to ensure proper vetting of the site, and a decision would not be rushed to install the monument by next month’s anniversary. He said that the art should go up at a visible site, but that many people had asked to slow the process down. Johnson, a Republican, called Reed’s comments “an unfortunate wrinkle in the debate that wasn’t true.” He said he wanted to form a committee to study the issue of where to place the sculpture. Accounts Commissioner John Franck, a Democrat, also stated that “this was not politically driven.”

Earlier in the evening, Democrats objected to Reed’s characterization of the issue. Jeff Partridge read a statement for the city Democratic Committee, demanding an apology to both parties.

Here’s what else Saratoga Heard:

Al Colucci said Reed’s comments insulted him. “I do not expect an individual to go on television and accuse this council of playing politics with this issue because that is not what is going on.”

Lance Ingmire, who opposes the visitor center site, said the sculpture should not be promoted as a tourist attraction. He wants it on Lake Avenue.

Bob Giordano and his wife support the project at the visitor center on Broadway. “We are still fighting two wars for this twisted steel,” Giordano said. He called the debate “saddening.”

Art expert James Kettlewell, a longtime Skidmore College art history professor, said he loved the visitor center site for the artwork. “It rises in the most spactacular way. This is one of the great works of art. It would be totally foolish for Saratoga Springs to turn down this opportunity.”

Art collector Mary Ann Bell of Saratoga Springs, said that she admired the sculpture, but thought that it would need more space than the visitor center’s lawn offers. “You cannot be close to the sculpture and see it in its entirety. It needs lots of space, and I suggest benches.” She also said that the process of selecting artists for the public project was flawed, and called on the City Council or mayor to establish a policy and set of procedures for future art in public places.

Peter Martin said that the City Council must conduct a full environmental review of the project if it wishes to place it at the visitor center.

Ken Grey of Fifth Avenue said that the City Council would miss a real opportunity by not approving the sculpture by the tenth anniversary. “I plead that we don’t delay.”

Haddie Finch of Church St., said that she opposed to visitor center site in favor of the firehouse on Lake Avenue.

Michael Messinger, said that the visitor center was not the best site. Tempered By Memory “would dwarf the visitor center,” he said.

Jackie Marchand fully supported the project, and hoped the council would approve by 9-11-11.

Doug Johnson, 59, of Gansevoort, called the sculpture a treasure. “That’s the real steel, that’s really what happened. This is a beautiful piece of art.”

Nancy Weber of Circular Street urged placement at the visitor center. “The piece demands a place where it will be seen.”

Kyle York, warned that the sculpture could be damaged by intoxicated persons, much like the city’s fiberglass horses. “The sculpture invites climbing on it.” Serious injuries could invite serious lawsuits, he said.

Dennis Yusko

17 Responses

I believe the steel art work is far too big to be appropriately placed at the historic Visitor’s Center. It would be incongrous with the building.
Perhaps it could be displayed somewhere in Congress Park – maybe near the Veteran’s monument area near the pond or in the space south of the pond directly behind the Holiday Inn. There are stairs that lead down from the Holiday Inn to the park and it could be accessed from there as well as the park.

“I get a real kick out of the people who criticize the rest of us for not going to city council meetings when such topics are discussed. Not everyone can be present, for various reasons, so please be more understanding.”

Joel Reed’s mass e-mail got RESULTS from the obedient loyalists. In his words– “Please come to the Council meeting and add your voice.” A reporter noted– “The majority of the comments were in support of the structure and the proposed location, the Visitor Center.” Arts Council Fans/Contributors/Experts came from Ballston, Gansevoort, Porters’ Corners, and Albany.

I alone fully opposed Art from the Tomb of The Dead. Council Members felt the community’s “love”… EACH dramatically telling of TREMBLING at FIRST sight of the Art.

Objectors– Your silence was deafening. Blog on… but for Godt’s sake, don’t DARE step up to the mike.

First, the sculpture is pretty darn ugly. This wouldn’t be a big deal
for a commissioned piece if it weren’t so HUGE! Because of the sheer
size–this must be taken into consideration.

Second, the sculpture should be appropriate in size and scale with
regard to the emotions it will evoke. Emotions around politics, religion and human suffering are strong enough without the magnitude of an in-your-face reminder of such a tragic event. Is the sheer scale of this reminder really appropriate for Saratoga Springs? Would a 20 foot tall Holocaust sculpture be appropriate? Would you say yes to that?

Third, how about using a large piece of the steel in a permanent exhibit addressing the 9-11 event? Oh, Saratoga doesn’t have (nor has there been any interest in) a permanent 9-11 exhibit. Why in the world is this sculpture more appropriate for Saratoga just because it is wrapped up as an “artistic” presentation? Does calling it “art” make it so sacrosanct that you can’t say no to it?

Fifth, consider other terrorist tragedies against Americans; Colombine, Oklahoma City, Lockerbie, etc… Would you permit a 20 foot tall sculpture created from the twisted remains of these tragedies to be installed in Saratoga Springs? Probably you would think it
inappropriate. So ask yourself, why do you think a 9-11 sculpture is
appropriate? How is it different? And, is this HUGE sculpture
appropriate?

Sixth, more Saratogians are killed in auto accidents than were killed at the 9-11 event. Would you consider a 20 foot tall crashed up car
sculpture? Probably not.

J York I think you hit the nail on the head. The NYC WTC memorial avoids wreckage of this sort. The sculpture is indeed ugly, depressing and is not the proper way to honor those who died or were on hand as heroes on 9/11.

I don’t think the sculpture is ugly. J York and Bluto, that’s just your opinion. Are you sculpture experts or something? There are many appropriate sites along Broadway, including across the street from The Dance Museum, and, yes, the Visitos’ Center.

You’re usually more appreciative of the Commoners, we who have no gilded degrees… we un-certified owners of only eyes that see. BUT MAN, did Joel Reed ever PRODUCE his card-carrying EXPERTS last night! They went to SCHOOLS!!!

HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED… that we allow our streets to be flooded with drivers who are NOT “experts,” not a SINGLE F1 driver among them?

Me? How could I DARE to even share the room with those Art TITANS… not to be confused with “Titian,” the artist of Venice. No, all I ever did was to spent 12 years leading walking tours in New York City for REAL Arts Organizations. My best-attended tours were “The Sculptures of Central Park,” “The Art Deco Masters of Rockefeller Center,” and “The Art of The World Trade Center.”

Before you write off the opinions of the uneducated masses, maybe you should read a few other opinions. They come from “bloggers”… people not unlike yourself–

Many of jave jobs, vacations, rental homes, social calendars, etc that do not alow us to join all you “nothing else to do” types at the City Council meeting

It’s a new world, my friend. We citizens can express our opinions in ways other than waiting in line behind you for an hour trying to get the microphone away from you. For example:

EMAil? Ever hear of that? Hints = computers and internet
The Contact US form on the city web site
Picking up the phone and calling the council members
Online forums and blogs like this (rest assured, they read these)

I get it. Kyle York’s opinion and those of his anonymous bloggers are more important than the non-silent majority that took the time to attend the meeting and support a controversial work of art. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean it isn’t important. Art isn’t always easy, or pretty, or a horse, like some in Saratoga seem to assume.

Kyle I wasn’t implying that “commoners” (your term) have no right to their opinions. But it sounds a little like those who see a Jackson Pollock and say “My kid can draw better than that.” I like the sculpture and I like the idea behind it and I am glad it’s coming to the 75th best small town!

You usually steer clear of the sarcasm that comes off as scathingly smug, like– “Are you sculpture experts or something?” That pretty much relegates them to the GoAwayAndBeQuiet corner. Probably just slopped past you usually spot-on Self-Editor.

This issue is indicative of the lack of leadership of Mayor Johnson.
Everytime there is an issue he blames others. An election year makes these guys run and hide. We need a change!!!! Johnson is a big part of the problem.

I guess some of our so called community leaders are making it political. That’s sad. This shouldn’t be about charter change or over the hill ousted politicians wanting to reclaim their egos. This is about those who died 10 years ago and a chance to honor them.

Those who spoke out in favor of the sculpture did so from a position of study and knowledge. Those who protested the sculpture do so on an emotional basis. Considering that Saratoga is one of the ‘Art Centers” of our are it seems to be totally counter productive to lay down such a hard line of anti art rhetoric. If you are going to to condemn something at least know something about it. The protesters clearly know nothing about art, expression or creativity. If it were not for the Golden Arches on Broadway there would be no art in their lives at all.